Conveyer



N. D LEVIN July 4, i933.

CONVEYER Original Fild Oct. 15. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet l July 4, 1933. LEVIN 1,917,134

CONVEYER Original Filed Oct. 15. 1924 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 N12 5 B Lea/n N. D. LEVIN July 4, 1933.

CONVEYER Original Filed Oct. 15, 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Patented July 4, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE NILS D. LEVIN, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE JEFFREY MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, A. CORPORATION OHIO CONVEYER Application filed October 15, 1924, Serial No. 743,723. Renewed May 20, 1931. v

This invention relates to conveyers, and is here shown as a conveyer for loose material. Furthermore, it 1s descrlbed as a con-' veyer for use in coal mines for transportherein, and, furthermore, while I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mechanical construction and assembly of parts may be varied over a wide range by the exercise of mechanical ,skill and the substitution of expedients equivalent to those here shown, and still be within the range of my invention. This disclosure is to be taken, therefore, as illustrative, but in no'sense restrictive of the development.

' ()ne object of the invention is to provide a conveyer which is made up of readily separable sections which may be quickly and conveniently assembled or disassembled to ent conditions of servi at the point'of use,

for example, in a mine, and by unskilled labor, and without any special tools.

This ease of adjustment of the conveyer to different lengths, as will app-ear hereinafter.

extends both to the trough structure and to the scraper chain which cooperates with that trough.

A further object of the invention is to provide a conveyer of the type disclosed, which has considerable flexibility, both'vertically and horizontally, so that it may be readily moved into operative relation to the material to be handled by jackingor moving the various sections forward to the work without disturbing the continuity of the trough, or the operation of the scraper chain, thus avoiding the necessity of moving simultaneously a long rigid conveyer. -Furthermore, the flexible construction permits the conveyer to adapt itself automatically to a considerable range of inequalities in the surface, such as a mine floor, on which it rests.

conveyer to differ- Other important details will be set forth in the description which follows, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, in Which Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the discharge, or driving end of a conveyerembodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the part of the conveyer illustrated in Fig. 1.

Figs. 3 and 4, together, are a fragmentary longitudinal section taken along the line IIIIV of Fig. 2, showing, on an enlarged scale, the driving connections of the conveyer. v

Fig. 5 isa side elevation of the foot end of the conveyer.

F ig. 6 is a plan view of the parts illustrated in Fig. 5. i a

.Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line VIIVII of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the junction of the two sections of I the conveyer.

F ig. 9 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one end and the associated coupling devices of a section of the conveyer trough.

Fig. 10 is a View similar to Fig. 9 showing the corresponding parts of the bottom pan in which the return strand of the conveyer chain travels.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary plan view of the conveyer chain, partly in section, showing one of the coupling links by which the sections of theconveyer chain are united.

' Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the parts illustrated in Fig. 11.

Fig. 13 is a cross section taken along the line XIII-XIII of Fig. 5.

The embodiment of my invention herein disclosed comprises. a head section A, a foot section B, and a plurality of similar intermediate sections C adapted to be arranged end to end, and to be coupled together to form a conveyer trough along which material may be propelled by an endless conveyer chain 1 havin material engaging elements 2 at space intervals along its length.

Each of the intermediate frame sections C comprises a bottomv guide frame 3 adapted/to rest directly upon a mine floor, and a superimposed trough 4. The frame 3 may be made in various ways, but I prefer to form it as a pan of a single steel plate bent upwardly along its lateral edges to form the side Walls 5. The trough 4 is preferably similarly formed of a single steel plate bent upwardly along its lateral edges to form side walls 6. At a suitable distance above the bottom of the trough'4 the side walls are bent inwardly to form shoulders 7, which may be, and in the present embodiment preferably are upwardly inclined, as shown. The shoulders 7 are adapted to engage the outer ends of the material engaging elements 2 to hold them to the bottom of the conveyer trough. The walls are extended above the shoulders 7 and may be bent, if desired, and as here shown, to form the outwardly flaring side walls 8 of the conveyer trough. The pan 3 is provided at each" end with laterally projecting lugs 9 arranged to register with corresponding lugs 10 attached to the trough 4, and in these lugsiare formed apertures to receive the bolts 11 by which the pan 3 and trough 4 are connected together. Coupling links 12 adapted to engage the bolts 11 between the lugs 9 and 10, provide means for connecting the ends of adjacent sections. A butt strap 13 attached to one end of the pan 3, and a similar butt strap 14 attached to one end of the pan 4, serve the double purpose of stiffening the construction and of providing a supporting flange adapted to be engaged by and project beneath the abutting end of the adjacent section to insure roper alignment, and to prevent leakage of fine material as it passes over the joint.

It will be observed, particularly from Fig. 7, that the pins 11 engage the ears 9 and 10,

and the links 12, somewhat loosely, so that.

considerable play is provided for, without, however, breaking the continuity of the engaged sections. Furthermore, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the abutting ends of the intermediate sections 0 are cut away at their flanges 8 sufficiently to 've room for movement of the sections re ative to each other without jamming. This loose coupling and clearance between the abutting ends of the adjacent sections contribute to flexibility of the device, and enable the conveyer to be moved forward and considerably out of straight line, so that it may be manipulated much more readily than as though there was a rigid connection between the sections. At the same time, the trough, by reason of the flanged connection between the sections, is continuous throughout its length.

The head section A comprises a supporting frame 15 formed of suitable plates and angles, and adapted to rest upon the mine floor. Upon this framework is mounted a conveyer trough 16 similar to and connectable with the trough 4 of the intermediate sections'C. The trough 16 has an inclined elevating porwell understood in the art.

tion and a horizontal delivery portion, the latter being adapted to extend above any suitably positioned receptacle or point of deposit to deliver material thereto. Attached to the overhanging portion of the supporting frame 15 are journal bearings 17 in which is supported an idler shaft 18 having a sprocket wheel 19 around which the C011.- veyer chain travels to engage the driving sprocket wheel 20, and a stripping plate 21, positioned immediately above the path of the conveyer chain in the rear of the wheel 19, directs and insures the smooth disengagement of said chain with said idler sprocket wheel. The sprocket wheel 20 is fixed to the power shaft 22 supported in suitable journal bearings 23 attached to the supporting frame 15, to the projecting end of which is fixed a spur gear 24 in engagement with a pinion 25 attached to the counter shaft 26. This counter shaft 26 is connected by a spur gear 27 and pinion 28 with the motor 29 by which the conveyer is actuated. The motor 29 may be of any preferred type suitable to the conditions under which the machine operates. For purposes of illustration'I have shown an electric motor adapted to receive its actuating current from any suitable and convenient source of current supply through a flexible conductor cable 30, in the manner A controller 31, mounted upon. the supporting frame 15, affords means for the manipulation of the motor 29. As these devices are well understood in the art, and as they form no part in the presentinvention, further description and illustration of them is not thought to be required at this time. I

Extending longitudinally of the head frame 15 is a plate having a curved forward portion 32 adapted to receive the return strand of the conveyer chain as it leaves the driving mechanism, and a rearwardly downwardly inclined portion 33 adapted to guide said chain into the pan 3 of the adjacent intermediate section C.

The foot section C comprises a somewhat expanded vertically supporting frame 34 and having a bottom plate 35 to rest upon the floor of the mine. Attached to the frame 34 are journal bearings 36 in which is supported the foot shaft 37 having a sprocket wheel 38 around which travels the conveyer chain 1. An inclined conveyer trough 39, similar to and fitted to the upper trough 4 of the intermediatesection C, is mounted upon the frame 34, and receives the conveyer chain 1 as it leaves the sprocket Wheel 38 and guides it into the trough 4 of the adjacent intermediate section C. The bottom plate 35 of the foot section registers with the bottom pans 3 of the intermediate sections, and these form a suitable guideway along which the return strand of the conveyer chain travels from the iao \ the foot wheel 38, along the pans 3, and over the plate 32, leaving whatever slack there may be in the chain 1 to hang in a festoon between the driving mechanism and the curved plate 32, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 4. Because of the slackness of ,the chain 1 at the rearward side of the sprocket wheel 20, and of the relatively short are of contact between said chain and sprocket wheel, there is a tendency for said chain to jump over the teeth of the sprocket wheel when subjected to excessive strain, or to be accidentally displaced from the sprocket wheel when the conveyer sections are being adjusted in working positions. To guard against such contingencies I have provided a bracket 40, projecting downwardly from the bottom of the troughs 16 in close proximity with the sprocket wheels 20, the forward face of which closely conforms to the path of travel of the chain around said wheel.

To permit actuation of thd conveyer chain 1 in the reverse direction, I have provided, adjacent the lower end of the bracket 40, a guide roller 41 adapted to guide the chain 1 onto the driving sprocket wheel 20, and a stripper plate 41a at the forward side of the sprocket wheel 20 to insure the smooth disengagement of the chain with said sprocket wheel. It is obvious that when driving in the reverse direction, the chain 1 will be. drawn taut between the curved plate 32 and the guide roller 41, the slack being transferred to the forward side of the driving mechanism and hanging in a festoon between the downwardly curving surface of the stripper plate 41a and the idler sprocket wheel 19, as shown by the dotted lines in Fig. 1.

The chain l'may be'of any preferred type suitable to the conditions under which the machine operates. For purposes of illus tration I have shown a chain composed of a series of center block links 42 and pairs of side bars 43 which overlap the ends of the block links and areconnected thereto by suitable transverse pintles 44 preferably having rivet heads formed at both ends to keep the parts in place. In order that the length of the chain may be readily adjusted, it may be,

- and preferably is, assembled in sections D,

corresponding substantially in length to the frame sections C, and these chain sections are adapted to be connected together by suitable chain couplings 45 which may be of any preferred and suitable type. In Figs. 11 and 12 of the drawings, I have shown one form of chain coupling which may be used, and is especially adapted to the purposes of this conveyer; As here shown, the coupling comprises -a pair of strap links 46 having lugs 47 adapted to engage suitable apertures in the block links 42 at the ends of adjacent chain sections. The proportions of these parts are such that when both strap links 46 are in operative position, the lugs 47 will meet substantially at the longitudinal central plane of the block links. Apertures extending through the strap links 46 and lugs 47 are adapted to receive the pintles 48, each of which is provided at one end-with a suitable head 49, and at the other end with suitable locking means, here shown as a circumferential groove 50 adapted to be engaged by a locking bar 51. The locking bar 51 consists of a relatively thin plate of-metal of approximately the length of the strap link 46 to which it is pivotally attached by a centrally disposed rivet52. Extending inwardly from opposite edges of the plate 51 are notches 53 adapted to engage the circumferential grooves 50 of the chain pintles 48 to lock the parts in operative relation. The locking bar 51, as will be clear from Fig. 12, is of such proportions that its ends will'be in close relation to the bottom 4 of the trough, both with respect to the upper and under runs of the chain. -This proportioning of the locking bar 51 ensures its being maintained always in looking position, and any accidental shifting of the bar will be prevented, or, if

it occurs, at once remedied by contact of the bar against theupper or under side of the foot shaft 37 is a wheel 37a, in the periphery of which is formed a plurality of holes 37 6 adapted to receive the end of a crowbar, or

similar instrument. This forms a 'windlass device whereby the shaft may be rotated in a direction to draw the slack ofthe chain from the ideway 3 into the trough 4, thereby provi ing suflicient slack to permit the.

lugs 47 to be easily withdrawn from the links 42. In like manner, when coupling the chain, the links 42 may be crowded together by such windlass device to enable the coupling to be readily made.

The material engaging elements 2 are here shown as scraper flights having vertically extending ribs 54 adapted to push material along the trough 4, and horizontal forwardly projecting flanges 55 adapted to slide over the trough bottom beneath said loose material, the weight of which upon said flange tends to hold the flights in contact with the trough bottom. -Atthe inner end of each flight there is former a I head 56 having apertures through which project the attachment bolts 57 which also serve as chain pintles. At the outer end of each flight the upper surface of the rib 54 may be shaped to conform approximately to the shoulder on the trough. When the shoulder 7 of the side walls of the trough is inclined, as shown in the present embodiment, the outer end of the rib will be similarly sloped- Such shoulder 7 Will bear against said rib 54 and prevent the climbing of the flight upwardly and over loose material traveling along the trough. Where the inward and u ward inclination is given to the shoulder 7 it tends to crowd material towards the center of the trough, and thereby prevents fragments of broken material becoming jammed between the shoulder and the trough bottom to bstruct the passage of the conveyer flights.

A conveyer structure, as above described, and as shown in the drawings, is particularly well adapted for use in coal mines to transport the coal broken down from the working face to any convenient or desired point of loading or delivery. It is obvious that since, in the breaking down'of the coal, the working face continually recedes, and, furthermore, since the working face varies in length, the position and length of such conveyer must be frequently changed. With the flexible construction described, it is possible to permit the head or discharge section A, with its actuating mechanism, to remain in a given position for a relatively long period of time, while the foot section B and intermediate section C may be advanced over a considerable area to maintain a proper working relation to the face of the coal, and, furthermore, it may be very readily extended from time to time, if necessary, so as to give it the desired length, or as readily shortened, if that is desirable. The foot section B is of such dimensions that it may be very conveniently handled for the insertion or removal of intermediate sections C between it and the head section A.

It has beerrheretofore pointed out that the flexibility of the conveyer permits it to be jacked over to a considerable extent toward the coal face, and when it is necessary to insert or remove an intermediate section C, the chain 1, through the Windlass device, will be relieved to tension, and it may then be severed at one of the coupling links 45. The bolts 11 can then be removed to disconnect the foot section B from its adjacent intermediate section C, and after an intermediate section 0 has been removed or inserted, the

' foot section B can be easily shifted, and again coupled up with the intermediate section. In manipulating the conveyer for the insertion or addition of an intermediate section C, the chain 1 may be allowed to draw around the foot wheel 38 into the lower run of theconveyer. A pan section 3 will then be posiwhich a trough section 4 can be placed above the pan 3, and the coupling links 12 and bolts 11 inserted to couple these parts into the conveyer frame. An additional section of chain D which, it will be remembered corresponds in length substantially to the length of the intermediate sections C, will then be coupled into the chain where the conveyer is being lengthened, or removed where the conveyer is bein shortened.

By arranging the links 12 and coupling the lugs 9 and in a plane between the upper and lower runs of the chain, not only is the desired flexibility of the conveyer trough secured, but danger of interfering with the chain tension, by reason of flexure of the trough, is eliminated.

Guide element 3 has been referred to as a pan, and as illustrated, consists of a metal sheet bent into the required form. It is to be understood, however, that as appliedto this element in the claims, the term pan is not intended tohave a restricted meaning, but is intended to include any appropriate form of guide frame for the return section of the chain.

I claim 1. In a continuous conveyer of the class described, the combination of a plurality of readily detachable conveyer sections disposed in end to end relation and each made up of a lower chain carrying pan and an upper chain and material carrying pan, readily detachable coupling meansconnecting said pans and links flexibly connecting said coupling means to secure said sections together.

2. In a continuous conveyer of the class described, the combination of a plurality of readily detachable conveyer sections disposed in end to'end relation and made up of a lower chain carrying pan and an upper chain and material carrying pan, coupling ears projecting laterally from each of saidpans, and means to connect said coupling ears to hold said pans and sections together.

3. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of conveyer sections disposed in end to end relation and each made up of a lower chain carrying pan and an upper chain and material carrying pan, coupling ears projecting laterally from each of said pans, and means flexibly connecting said coupling ears to hold said pans and sections together.

4. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of conveyer sections disposed in end to end relation and each made up of a lower chain receiving pan and an upper chain and materialreceiving pan, coupling ears extending laterally from each end of said pans in registry with one another, coupling links between the coupling ears of lllt III!

adjacent sections, and means to secure said class described comprising a lower chain car-- cars and links together.

5. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of conveyer sections disposedi-n end to end relation and each made up of a lower chain receiving pan and an upper chain and material receiving pan, coupling ears extending laterally from each end of said pans in registry with one another, coupling links between the coupling ears of adjacent sections, and means flexibly to secure said earsand links together.

6. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of conveyer sec tions disposed in end to end relation, an offset seat at at least one end of each section to receive and overlap with the end of an adjacent section, and meansconnecting said sections to permit relative-flexure of the same while maintaining their overlapped relation.

7. In apparatus oi the class described, the

combination of a plurality of lower chain -receiving pans disposed in end to end relation, one of said pans having at least at one end an oflset receiving and overlapping seat to receive an adjacent pan; a plurality of upper chain and material receiving pans disposed in end to end relation, each of said pans having at atleast one end an offset and overlapping seat to receive the end of an adjacent pan; and means flexibly to connect said pans and sections -to permit relative movement while maintaining their overlapped relation.

8. A sectional unit for conveyers of the class described comprising a lower chain carrying pan, an upper chain and material carrying pan, means projecting inwardly of said upper pan to engage a carrier chain and hold it to the bottom of the pan, and means for fastening said pans together.

9. A sectional unit for conveyers of the rying pan, an upper chain and material car rying pan, means projecting'inwardly from the side walls of the upper pan to engage and hold a carrier chain to the bottom, and means for fastening the pans together.

10. A sectional unit for conveyers of the class described comprising a lower chain carrying pan, an upper chain and material carrying pan, upwardly and inwardly bent side walls on said upper pan to form ledges to engage and hold a carrier chain at the bottom, and means for securing said pans together.

11. In a conveyer of the class described, a chain and material carrying pan the side walls of which extend upwardly and then inwardly to form a carrier chain receiving and holding recess, and a return pan for the chain secured beneath the first named pan.

12. In a conveyer of the class described, a

. chain and material carrying pan the side walls of which extend upwardly and then inwardly-and upwardly at an incline to form a non-choking carrier chain receiving and holdingrecess, and a return pan for the chain secured beneath the first named pan.

13. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a head section having a conveyer.trougl1, carrier chain driving mechanism mounted on said head section, a tall section having a conveyer trough, a carrlerchain idler mounted on said tail section, in-

termediate trough sections flexibly connected to one another and to said head and tail sections, and a carrier chain traversing said sections.

14. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a head section having an elevated conveyer trough, carrier chain driving mechanism mounted on said head section, a tail section having a conveyer trough, a carrier chain idler mounted on said tail section, intermediate trough sections flexibly connected to one another and to said head and tail sections, and a carrier chain traversing said sections.

15. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a head section having an elongated conveyer trough, carrier chain driving mechanism mounted on said head sec t1on, a tail section having an elongated con-' veyer trough, a carrier chain idler mounted on said tail section, intermediate trough sections flexibly connected to one another and to said head and tail sections, and a carrier chain traversing said sections.

16. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a head section having a conveyer trough, carrier chain driving means mounted on said head section, a tail section, a carrier chain idler mounted on said tail section, intermediate conveyer sections connecting said head and tail section, and means to actuate said carrier chain idler to slack ofl said carrier chain to permit the separation.

17. In apparatus of the class described, the

combination of a head section having a con-' 18. In apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a conveyer trough, an endless carrier chain traversing said trough, means for driving said chain, an idler over which said chain travels, and means to actuate said idler to slack off said chain.

19. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conveyer trough, an endless carrier chain traversing said trough, means for driving said chain, an idler over which said chain travels, and manually operable means to actuate said idler to slack off said chain.

20. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conveyer trough, an endless separable carrier chain traversing said trough, means for driving said chain, an idler over which said chain travels, and manually operable means to slack off said chain to permit its easy separation.

21. In a conveyer of the class described, the-combination of a head section, an endless carrier chain traversing said section, carrier chain operating means mounted on said section, means for holding said chain in engagement with said driving means, and means adjacent said holding means to prevent binding of the chain when its direction of travel is reversed.

22. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, an endless carrier chain traversing said section, carrier chain operating means mounted on said section, means for holding said chain in engagement with said driving means, and an idler adjacent said holding means to prevent binding of the chain when its direction of travel is reversed.

23. In a conveyer of the class described, a head section, an endless carrier chain traversing said a head section, a power driven sprocket mounted on said head section to drive said chain, a fixed bracket to hold said chain in engagement with said sprocket, and an idler roll below said bracket to prevent binding of said chain when its direction of travel is reversed.

24. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, an endless carrier chain traversing said head section, a power driven sprocket on said head section to drive said chain, a fixed bracket to hold said chain in engagem nt with said sprocket, a chain stripper on the opposite side of said bracket from said holding bracket, and an idler roll below said holding bracket to prevent binding of said chain when the direction I of travel is reversed.

25. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, an endless chain traversing said head section, a power driven sprocket mounted on said section to engage the lower run of and drive said chain, a chain holding bracketdependin'g upon one side of said sprocket to hold the'chain in driving relation to said sprocket, a chain stripper on the side of said sp'rocket opposite said bracket, an idler roll below said bracket to prevent binding of said chain when its direction of travel is reversed, and a guide to which said chain passes from said idler roll.

26. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, a tail section, an idler on said head section, an idler on said tail section, an endless carrier chain traversing said sections and engaging said idlers, a power driven sprocket on said head section between said idlers to engage the lower run of and drive said chain, means at one side of said sprocket to hold said chain in' engagement therewith, and means on the other side of said sprocket to strip said chain therefrom.

27. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, a tail section, an idler on said head section, an idler on said tail section, an endless carrier chain traversing said sections and engaging said idlers, a power driven sprocket on said head section between said idlers to engage the lowerrun of and drive said chain, means at one side of said sprocket to hold said chain in engagement therewith, means on the other side of said sprocket to strip said chain therefrom, and an idler below said holding means to prevent binding of the chain when its direction of travel is reversed.

28. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, a tail section, an idler on said head section, an idler on said tail section, an endless carrier chain traversing said sections and engaging said idlers, a power driven sprocket on said head section between said idlers to engage the lower run of and drive said chain, means at one side of said sprocket to hold said chain in engagement therewith, means on the other side of said sprocket to strip said chain therefrom, an idler below said holding means to prevent binding of the chain when its direction of travel is reversed, and an elevated chain receiving guide to which said chain passes from said idler. 1 29. .In a conveyer of the class described,

the combination of a head section, an idlermounted thereon, a tail section, an idler mounted thereon, an endless chain travers-' ing said sections, and self-contained chain driving mechanism mounted on said head section.

30. In aconveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, an idler mounted thereon, a tail section, an idler I mounted thereon, an endless chain traversing said sections and self-contained chain driving and guidmg mechanisms mounted on said head section.

31. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, an idler mounted thereon, a tail section, an idler mounted thereon, an endless chain traversing said sections, and chain driving mechanism, chain guiding means, and chain stripping means, all mounted on and self-contained in said head section. a

1 32. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of a head section, an idler mounted thereon, a tail section, an idler mounted thereon, an endless chain traversing said sections, and chain driving mechanism, chain guiding means and chain stripping means, all self contained within and mounted on said head section.

33. In a conveyer of the class described, the combination of ahead section, an idler mounted thereon, a tail section, an idle'r mounted thereon, an endless chain traversing said sections, and chain driving mechanism, chain guiding mechanism, chain stripping means, and meansto prevent binding of said chain, all self-contained Within and mounted on said head section.

34. In apparatus of the class described, the combination of a conveyer trough having recesses in its side walls, the upper walls of which are inclined, and a carrier chain having flights which are beveled downwardly substantially parallel to said upper walls.

35. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with on elongated trough comprising a plate folded upwardly along its lateral edges to form the sidewalls of the trough, a flexible draft device adapted to travel longitudinally of said trough, laterally projecting arms attached to said draft device extending approximately to said side walls, and guides formed by additional folding of said side walls projecting above the extremities ofsaid arms as and for the purpose set forth.

36. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a conveyer trough having upwardly projecting sidewalls, a flexible draft device adapted to travel longitudinally of said trough, laterally projecting arms attached to said draft device and extending approximately to said sidewalls, and upwardly inclined guides projecting inwardly from said sidewalls above the extremities of said arms as and for the purpose set forth.

37. In an apparatus ofthe class described, the combination with a plurality of similar pans adapted to be arranged in longitudinal alignment to form a continuous guideway, of laterally projecting lugs attached to each pan adjacent the ends thereof, corresponding similar troughs adapted to be superimposed upon said pans to form a continuous trough, lugs projecting from said trough in juxtaposition with the lugs of said pan, bolts adapted to project through registering apertures in said lugs to connect said pans and troughs, and coupling links adapted to engage said bolts to couple said elements into a unitary elongated conveyer frame as and for the purpose set forth.

38. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with an elongated trough having upwardly projecting sidewalls, a flexible draft device adapted to travel longitudinally of said trough, laterally projecting arms attached to said draft device and extending approximately to said sidewalls, and guides project-ing inwardly from said sidewalls above the extremities of said arms as and for the purpose set forth.

39. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a conveyertrough having upwardly projecting sidewalls, of a flexible draft device adapted to travel longitudinally of said trough, laterally projecting arms attached to said draft, device and extending approximately to said side walls adapted to propel loose material along said trough, guides projecting inwardly from said sidewalls above the extremities of said arms, and means tending to move said loose material inwardly from said sidewalls as and for the purpose set forth.

40. In an apparatus of the class described the combination with a plurality of similar pans adapted to be arranged in longitudinal alignment to form a continuous guideway, of corresponding similar troughs adapted to be superimposed upon said pans to form a continuous trough, an endless chain adapted to travel longitudinally of said trough and t) return longitudinally of said gu'deway, laterally projecting lugs attached to each pan adjacent the ends thereof, laterally projecting lugs attached to each trough in juxtaposition with the lugs of said pan, bolts adapted to project through registering apertures in said lugs to connect said pans and troughs, and coupling links lying in a plane between the transverse longitudinal planes of the upper and lower runs of said chain adapted to engage said bolts to couple said elementsinto a unitary elongated conveyer frame as and for the purpose set forth.

41. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination with a plurality of similar pans adapted to be arranged in longitudinal alignment to form a continuous guideway, of

corresponding similar troughs adapted to be superimposed upon said pans to form a continuous trough, an endless chain adapted to travel longitudinally of sa d trough and to return longitudinally of said guideway, and coupling devices lying between the transverse longitudinal planes of the upper and lower runs of said chain to connect said pans and troughs into a unitary elongated conveyer frame as and for the purpose set forth.

42. In a conveyer, a disconnectible endless chain, rotatable head and foot shafts, bear-- 1 ings for said shafts, sprockets fixed on said shafts and carrying said chain, power means for driving said head shaft, and a capstan head on one of sa d shafts adapted to be engaged by a bar for rotating it in its bearings when said power means is inactive for developing a slack in either strand of the chain.

43. In a conveyer, a trough comprising a plurality of separable sections, said sections having sidewalls inwardly extended at their intermediate portions to form longitudinal ribs, and a transverse butt strap at one end of each section and projecting beyond the edge thereof, said strap having substantially parallelly extending arms fixed to said side walls near the top of the latter and forming a frame for receiving the end of the adjoining section.

44. Sectional conveyer structure comprising a sheet metal trough having a bottom wall and side walls, a metal strap having a portion underlying the bottom wall and upwardly extending portions secured to the side walls, a marginal portion of said strap projecting beyond one end of the trough, a connecting member extending longitudinally of the trough exterforly thereof and across the strap, and means in fixed connection with the trough disengageably supporting said connecting member.

45. In a sectional conveyer, a plurality of sections each comprising a sheet metal trough having a bottom wall and side walls, a metal strap having a portion underlying the bottom wall and upwardly extending portions secured to the side walls, a marginal portion of said strap projecting beyond one end of the trough, the upper portions of the end edges of the respective side Walls of each section being upwardly convergent whereby a gap exists between the upper portions of the adjacent end edges of the sections when the sections are in horizontally aligned relation, and means flexibly connecting the adjacent section ends near the bottoms thereof.

46. Sectional conveyer structure comprising a sheet metal trough having a bottom wall and side Walls, the side walls having longitudinally extending inwardly bent portions spaced above the bottom wall and being outwardly flared above said inwardly bent portions, and a metal strap having a, portion underlying the bottom wall and upwardly extending parallel portions with outwardly flared extremities secured to the flared portions of the side walls, a marginal portion of the strap projecting beyond the end of the trough.

47. In a sectional conveyer, a plurality of sections each structure comprising a sheet allel portions with outwardly flared extremities secured to the flared portions of the side walls, a marginal portion of the strap projecting beyond the end of the trough the upper portions of the end edges of the re spect-ive side walls of each section being upwardly convergent whereby a gap exists between the upper portions of the adjacent end edges of the sections when the sections are in horizontally aligned relation, and means flexibly connecting the adjacent section ends near the bottoms thereof.

48. Sectional conveyer structure comprising an upper chain and material carrying trough and lower chain guiding means, and a strap having a portion underlying the chain guiding means and secured thereto and upwardly extending portions also secured to the guiding means, a marginal portion of said strap projecting beyond. the end of said guiding means, said trough having side walls Whose respective end edges are upwardly convergent.

49. A conveyer comprising head and foot sections, and at least one intermediate section, an endless draft device having superposed runs, flights projecting to each side of said draft device, said intermediate section comprising an upper trough along which the upper run of the draft device travels, and longitudinally extending means on the trough overlying the outer ends of the flights to hold the flights in the trough, said intermediate section also comprising guide means for the lower run of the draft device.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

NILS D. LEVIN. 

